Battery pack

ABSTRACT

A battery pack includes a plurality of battery units that are side by side along a first direction, a connection member that connects the battery units in series, in parallel, or in series and parallel, the connection member being adjacent to one surface of each battery unit of the plurality of battery units, an upper cap on and accommodating the connection member, upper portions of all of the battery units being inserted into the upper cap, a lower cap that is spaced apart from the upper cap by a predetermined gap, lower portions of all of the battery units being inserted into the lower cap, and a label that at least partially surrounds the battery units exposed between the upper cap and the lower cap. The upper cap and the lower cap fix an arrangement of the battery units.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0015641, filed on Feb. 11, 2014, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and entitled: “Battery Pack,” is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

One or more embodiments relate to a battery pack.

2. Description of the Related Art

Use of portable computers that operate based on internal power supplied from batteries has dramatically increased due to the development of wireless communication technologies such as the Internet. In general, since the portable computers are small and easy to carry, that is, have high mobility, the portable computers are widely used for business or personal purposes in various places. As the portable computers include battery packs, they may be used irrespective of the area of use and connection to land power sources. A battery pack may include a plurality of battery units that may be repeatedly charged/discharged so as to provide sufficient output.

SUMMARY

Embodiments are directed to a battery pack including a plurality of battery units that are side by side along a first direction, a connection member that connects the battery units in series, in parallel, or in series and parallel, the connection member being adjacent to one surface of each battery unit of the plurality of battery units, an upper cap on and accommodating the connection member, upper portions of all of the battery units being inserted into the upper cap, a lower cap that is spaced apart from the upper cap by a predetermined gap, lower portions of all of the battery units being inserted into the lower cap, and a label that at least partially surrounds the battery units exposed between the upper cap and the lower cap. The upper cap and the lower cap fix an arrangement of the battery units.

Each of the battery units may include sides that are perpendicular to the one surface. The sides may include a pair of first sides, the first sides of each battery unit being side by side with the first sides of the other battery units, and a pair of second sides that connect the pair of first sides to each other, the second sides having a smaller width than the first sides. The plurality of battery units may be arranged such that the second sides of adjacent battery units face each other.

The battery pack may further include a spacer between the second sides of adjacent battery units that face each other.

The spacer may include a first portion that insulates the second sides of the adjacent battery units from each other and a second portion that extends from the first portion to the connection member and supports the connection member.

At least one of the upper cap and the lower cap may include a skirt portion that extends toward the pair of first sides. The label may be attached to the skirt portion.

The battery pack may further include an insulating film between at least one of the pair of first sides and the label.

Each battery unit may include a can that accommodates an electrode assembly and a cap plate that is combined with the can, the cap plate forming the one surface. Each battery unit may include an electrode pin located on the cap plate, the electrode pin being insulated from the cap plate.

Each battery unit may include a holder on the cap plate, the holder accommodating a temperature-sensing element connected to the electrode pin.

The connection member may be electrically connected to the electrode pin and the cap plate.

The connection member may include circuit boards and protective elements mounted on the circuit boards.

The holder may be coupleable with the upper cap.

One of the holder and the upper cap may include a protrusion that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the other one of the holder and the upper cap may include a hole that is coupleable with the protrusion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features will become apparent to those of skill in the art by describing in detail exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of one of a plurality of battery units illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view depicting a state in which battery units, a protective circuit module, an upper cover, and a lower cover illustrated in FIG. 1 are assembled;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a portion IV of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along a line V-V of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, they may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey exemplary implementations to those skilled in the art.

In the drawing figures, the dimensions of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity of illustration. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is an perspective view of one of a plurality of battery units and a holder illustrated in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a plurality of battery units 100, a protective circuit module 200, an upper cover 400, and a lower cover 500 are assembled. In FIG. 3, a label 600 and an insulating film 700 are omitted in FIG. 3 for convenience of explanation.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the battery pack according to the current embodiment may include the plurality of battery units 100, the protective circuit module 200, which is electrically connected to each of the plurality of battery units 100, a spacer 300 that electrically insulates the battery units 100 from each other, the upper cover 400, the lower cover 500, the label 600, and the insulating film 700.

The plurality of battery units 100 may be disposed side by side along a first direction (x-direction). For example, the plurality of battery units 100 may be disposed side by side so that their top surfaces are in the same direction. Sides of adjacent battery units 100 may face each other. Each of the battery units 100 may be a lithium-ion battery, that is, a secondary battery that may be recharged.

Referring to FIG. 2, each of the battery units 100 may include a bare cell B and a holder 140 fixed to an upper portion of the bare cell B.

The bare cell B may include a can 110 having an opening formed therein, an electrode assembly 104 accommodated in the can 110 through the opening, a cap plate 120 that seals the opening of the can 110, and an electrode pin 122 formed on the cap plate 120.

The can 110 may have an opened, approximately hexahedral top surface and may be manufactured of a metallic material so as have a suitable resistance. For example, the can 110 may be manufactured of aluminum (Al) or an Al alloy. After the electrode assembly 104 is inserted into the can 110 through the opening, the opening may be sealed by the cap plate 120. Like the can 110, the cap plate 120 may be manufactured of a metallic material, such as aluminum or an Al alloy. Portions at which the cap plate 120 and the can 110 contact each other may be combined with each other through laser welding so that an internal air-tight state of the bare cell B may be maintained.

The electrode assembly 104 may include a first electrode plate 101 and a second electrode plate 102 onto which an electrode active material is coated, and a separator 103 interposed therebetween. The first electrode plate 101 and the second electrode plate 102 may have different polarities. The electrode assembly 104 may be manufactured in such a way that the first electrode plate 101, the separator 103, and the second electrode plate 102 may be sequentially stacked on the electrode assembly 104 and then be wound in a jelly roll shape. In other implementations, the electrode assembly 104 may be a stack structure where the first electrode plate 101, the separator 103, and the second electrode plate 102 are sequentially stacked.

The electrode pin 122 may be formed on the cap plate 120. The first electrode plate 101 may be electrically connected to the cap plate 120, and the second electrode plate 102 may be electrically connected to the electrode pin 122. The first electrode plate 101 and the second electrode plate 102 may have different polarities. Accordingly, the electrode pin 122 and the cap plate 120 may have different polarities. For example, the electrode pin 122 may have a negative electrode polarity, and the cap plate 120 may have a positive electrode polarity. A gasket 125 may be provided between the electrode pin 122 and the cap plate 120 so as to prevent a short circuit between the electrode pin 122 and the cap plate 120. The gasket 125 may be manufactured of an insulating material and may prevent an electrical short circuit between the electrode pin 122 and the cap plate 120.

The battery unit 100 may include first and second electrode tabs 131 and 132. The first and second electrode tabs 131 and 132 may serve as a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal of a secondary battery.

For example, the first electrode tab 131 may be disposed on the cap plate 120 and may be electrically connected to the cap plate 120. When the cap plate 120 has a positive electrode polarity, the first electrode tab 131 welded onto the cap plate 120 may also have a positive electrode polarity.

The second electrode tab 132 may be connected to the electrode pin 122 and a temperature-sensing element, such as a temperature cutoff (TCO). For example, the second electrode tab 132 may include a first portion 132 a and a second portion 132 b. One end of the first portion 132 a may be connected to the electrode pin 122, and the other end of the first portion 132 a may be connected to the temperature-sensing element. One end of the second portion 132 b may be connected to the temperature-sensing element so that the second electrode tab 132 including the temperature-sensing element may be electrically connected to the electrode pin 122.

The first and second electrode tabs 131 and 132 may be disposed on the cap plate 120. Since the cap plate 120 has a positive electrode polarity, as described above, an electrical short circuit between the cap plate 120 and the second electrode tab 132 having a negative electrode polarity could occur easily. Thus, the second electrode tab 132 may be disposed on the holder 140 put on the cap plate 120.

The holder 140 may accommodate the second electrode tab 132 and the temperature-sensing element. The holder 140 may include an opening op formed in a position corresponding to a position of the temperature-sensing element so as to sensitively react to a change in temperature of the battery unit 100.

The holder 140 may be fixed onto the battery unit 100 using a fixing member, such as a tape 150, while accommodating the second electrode tab 132 and the temperature-sensing element.

The holder 140 may include a protrusion 145. The protrusion 145 may extend and protrude from the holder 140 along a thickness direction (y-direction) of the battery unit 100 and may be combined with a hole 405 formed in the upper cover 400 that will be described below. For example, the protrusion 145 of the holder 140 may be combined with the hole 405 of the upper cover 400 through interference fit.

In the current embodiment, the protrusion 145 is formed on the holder 140, and the hole 405 is formed in the upper cover 400. In other implementations, a hole may be formed in the holder 140, and a protrusion may be formed on the upper cover 400 so that the protrusion and the hole may be combined with each other through an interference fit. Considering the overall thickness of the battery pack, for example, the protrusion 145 may be formed on the holder 140 and the hole 405 may be formed in the upper cover 400, such that the thickness of the battery pack may be reduced.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 through 3, the protective circuit module 200 may be disposed on a top surface of each battery unit 100, for example, on the cap plate 120, and may be electrically connected to the battery unit 100 such that charging/discharging of the battery unit 100 may be controlled. The protective circuit module 200 may prevent overheating and explosion that occur due to overcharging, overdischarging, or overcurrent of the battery unit 100.

The protective circuit module 200 may include circuit boards 210, protective elements 220 mounted on the circuit boards 210, and external terminals 230. The circuit boards 210 may extend long along an arrangement direction of the plurality of battery units 100. The protective elements 220 may be one selected from the group of safety elements including passive elements, such as resistors and capacitors of the circuit boards 210, or active elements, such as field effect transistors (FETs), or integrated circuits (ICs).

Each of the circuit boards 210 may include a connection hole 241. The first and second electrode tabs 131 and 132 provided on each of the battery units 100 may be inserted into the connection hole 241 formed in each circuit board 210. The first and second electrode tabs 131, 132 and the respective circuit board 210 may be soldered together. Patterns through which the battery units 100 may be connected in series and/or in parallel, may be formed on the circuit board 210. The first and second electrode tabs 131 and 132 of each battery unit 100 may be directly connected to the connection hole 241 formed in the circuit board 210 such that the plurality of battery units 100 may be charge/discharge-controlled according to driving of the protective element 220 and simultaneously may be connected in series and/or in parallel.

The spacer 300 may be interposed between adjacent battery units 100. One end of the spacer 300 may extend toward the protective circuit module 200 so as to support the protective circuit module 200. For example, the spacer 300 may include a first portion 310 interposed between the adjacent battery units 100, and a second portion 320 that extends from the first portion 310 to the protective circuit module 200.

The first portion 310 of the spacer 300 may electrically insulate the adjacent battery units 100 from each other. As described above with reference to FIG. 2, the can 110 and the cap plate 120 of the battery unit 100 may be manufactured of a metallic material, and the can 110 may be welded to the cap plate 120 such that the can 110 may have the same polarity as that of the cap plate 120. When the battery units 100 are disposed side by side, as illustrated in FIG. 1, an undesired electrical connection between the adjacent battery units 100 could be formed. According to an embodiment, the first portion 310 of the spacer 300 may be interposed between the adjacent battery units 100. Accordingly, an undesired electrical connection between the adjacent battery units 100 may be prevented.

The second portion 320 of the spacer 300 may be interposed in a space (or a gap) between the protective circuit module 200 and the battery unit 100 and may support the protective circuit module 200. The battery unit 100 may include the electrode pin 122 that protrudes upward and the holder 140 may be interposed on the battery unit 100. Accordingly, a space may be formed between the top surface of the battery unit 100 and a bottom surface of the protective circuit module 200. When the second portion 320 of the spacer 300 is interposed in the space, the protective circuit module 200 may be supported and simultaneously may be protected from an external force applied to the protective circuit module 200.

The upper cover 400 may be disposed on the protective circuit module 200. The upper cover 400 may include an opening 410 through which the external terminal 230 formed on the protective circuit module 200 is exposed.

The upper cover 400 may have a length that is substantially the same as the entire length of the plurality of battery units 100 disposed side by side along the first direction. The upper cover 400 may be combined with the battery units 100 such that the protective circuit module 200 may be interposed between the battery units 100. For example, the upper cover 400 and the holder 140 provided at each of the battery units 100 may be combined with each other through an interference fit, as described above.

The lower cover 500 may be disposed at an opposite side to a side at which the upper cover 400 is disposed, so as to face the upper cover 400. The upper cover 400 may be disposed to cover the top surface of each battery unit 100, with the protective circuit module 200 being interposed between the battery units 100. The lower cover 500 may be disposed to cover the bottom surface of each battery unit 100.

The label 600 may be disposed to surround sides of each battery unit 100. For example, the label 600 may be attached to the sides of the battery unit 100. An insulating film 700 may be interposed between the label 600 and the sides of the battery unit 100.

Portions of the label 600 may be attached to the upper cover 400 and the lower cover 500. To this end, skirt portions 420 and 520 may be provided at the upper cover 400 and the lower cover 500 and may extend toward the battery unit 100. The portions of the label 600 may be attached onto the skirt portions 420 and 520 such that the upper cover 400, the lower cover 500, and the label 600 may be insulated from the battery unit 100 and simultaneously, such that the battery unit 100 may be prevented from being exposed to the outside.

Hereinafter, a combination of the upper cover 400 and the battery unit 100, for example, a combination of the upper cover 400 and the holder 140 of the battery unit 100 will be descried with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 4 is an partial exploded perspective view of a portion IV of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line V-V of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the protective circuit module 200 may be disposed on the battery unit 100, and the upper cover 400 may be disposed on the protective circuit module 200. The protective circuit module 200 may be placed on the cap plate 120 on which the electrode pin 122 is formed. The first and second electrode tabs 131 and 132 included in each battery unit 100 may be inserted into the connection holes 241 formed in the protective circuit module 200 and then the first and second electrode tabs 131 and 132 and the protective circuit module may be soldered together. Thus, the first and second electrode tabs 131 and 132 may be electrically connected to the protective circuit module 200.

The upper cover 400 may be combined with the battery unit 100 such that the protective circuit module 200 is interposed between the battery unit 100 and the upper cover 400. For example, the upper cover 400 may include the hole 405, and the holder 140 of the battery unit 100 may include the protrusion 145. The protrusion 145 may be combined with the hole 405 through an interference fit such that the upper cover 400 and the holder 140 are combined with each other. The protrusion 145 may extend and protrude from the battery unit 100 along the thickness direction (y-direction) of the battery unit 100 and thus may be combinable with the hole 405 of the upper cover 400.

As described above, according to the one or more of the above embodiments provide a compact battery pack having improved assembling characteristics may be provided.

Example embodiments have been disclosed herein, and although specific terms are employed, they are used and are to be interpreted in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purpose of limitation. Accordingly, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A battery pack, comprising: a plurality of battery units that are side by side along a first direction; a connection member that connects the battery units in series, in parallel, or in series and parallel, the connection member being adjacent to one surface of each battery unit of the plurality of battery units; an upper cap located on and accommodating the connection member, upper portions of all of the battery units being inserted into the upper cap; a lower cap that is independent from and spaced apart from the upper cap by a predetermined gap such that the upper cap and the lower cap do not contact each other, lower portions of all of the battery units being inserted into the lower cap; a label that at least partially surrounds the battery units exposed between the upper cap and the lower cap, and a plurality of insulators, each insulator of the plurality of insulators being disposed between adjacent battery units that face each other, wherein: the upper cap and the lower cap fix an arrangement of the battery units, each of the battery units includes sides that are perpendicular to the one surface, the sides include: a pair of first sides, the first sides of each battery unit being side by side with the first sides of all other battery units, and a pair of second sides that connect the pair of first sides to each other, the second sides having a smaller width than the first sides, the plurality of battery units are arranged such that the second sides of each of adjacent battery units face each other, the plurality of battery units include at least three battery units that are side by side along a first direction, the at least three battery units include: a first battery unit and a second battery unit which are respectively disposed in the leftmost end and rightmost end of the plurality of battery units, and a third battery unit between the first and second battery units, the pair of second sides of the third battery unit directly contact insulators disposed on both sides of the third battery unit, and the pair of second sides of the first battery unit directly contact the label and one insulator between the first battery unit and the third battery unit, respectively.
 2. The battery pack of claim 1, further comprising a spacer between the second sides of adjacent battery units that face each other.
 3. The battery pack of claim 2, wherein the spacer includes a first portion that insulates the second sides of the adjacent battery units from each other and a second portion that extends from the first portion to the connection member and supports the connection member.
 4. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein at least one of the upper cap and the lower cap includes a skirt portion that extends toward the pair of first sides, and the label is attached to the skirt portion.
 5. The battery pack of claim 4, further comprising an insulating film between at least one of the pair of first sides and the label.
 6. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein: each battery unit includes a can that accommodates an electrode assembly, a cap plate that is combined with the can, the cap plate forming the one surface, and a first electrode tab connected to the cap plate, and each battery unit includes an electrode pin located on the cap plate, the electrode pin being insulated from the cap plate.
 7. The battery pack of claim 6, wherein each battery unit includes a holder on the cap plate, the holder accommodating a temperature-sensing element and a second electrode tab connected to the electrode pin, the holder being attached to the cap plate by a tape that extends over the holder and attaches to opposite sides of the battery unit.
 8. The battery pack of claim 7, wherein the connection member is electrically connected to the electrode pin by way of the second electrode tab and is electrically connected to the cap plate by way of the first electrode tab.
 9. The battery pack of claim 8, wherein the connection member includes circuit boards and protective elements mounted on the circuit boards.
 10. The battery pack of claim 7, wherein the holder is coupleable with the upper cap.
 11. The battery pack of claim 10, wherein one of the holder and the upper cap includes a protrusion that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the other one of the holder and the upper cap includes a hole that is coupleable with the protrusion.
 12. A battery pack, comprising: a plurality of battery units that are side by side along a first direction; a connection member that connects the battery units in series, in parallel, or in series and parallel, the connection member being adjacent to one surface of each battery unit of the plurality of battery units; an upper cap located on and accommodating the connection member, upper portions of all of the battery units being inserted into the upper cap; a lower cap that is independent from and spaced apart from the upper cap by a predetermined gap such that the upper cap and the lower cap do not contact each other, lower portions of all of the battery units being inserted into the lower cap; a spacer between sides of adjacent battery units that face each other, wherein the spacer includes a first portion that insulates the sides of the adjacent battery units that face each other from each other and a second portion that extends from the first portion to the connection member and supports the connection member by providing a space between the one surface of the battery units and the connection member; and a label that at least partially surrounds the battery units exposed between the upper cap and the lower cap, wherein the upper cap and the lower cap fix an arrangement of the battery units. 